Chamber to focus on roads

Attendees of an upcoming Business Leaders' Breakfast will hear updates about Union County's roads.

The event, which is hosted by the Union County Chamber of Commerce, is titled "Union County Roads... What is the 'new' news?"

It will take place Feb. 5 with registration and networking beginning at 7:30 a.m. and the program running from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. It will be held at South Piedmont Community College at 4209 Old Charlotte Highway, Salon A, Monroe, according to a Union County Chamber of Commerce e-mail.

"There was a big interest," Theresa Byers, director of events and programs for the Union County Chamber of Commerce, said.

Often chamber members listed the county's roads as one of the topics they would like to hear more about during future Business Leaders' Breakfasts, which is why it will be the focus of the Feb. 5 event, Byers said.

"I really think this will be a really big draw for the members," she said.

Usually the Business Leaders' Breakfasts are well attended with usually around 75 to 85 people but she expects even more will likely come out to the upcoming one on Feb. 5, she said.

Scott Cole, a deputy division engineer with the N.C. Department of Transportation, will be the event's speaker. His discussion will feature updates about area roads as well as what people can expect in Union County for 2013. Other parts of his discussion will focus on the planning process and projects planned in Union County, including an update on the Monroe Connector Bypass and local safety and spot improvement projects, according to the chamber's e-mail.

The event will offer the opportunity for people to learn more about the upcoming road projects and plans in Union County and to ask questions, Sharon Rosché, president of the Union County Chamber of Commerce, said.

To make a reservation call the Union County Chamber of Commerce at 704-289-4567 or register online at www.unioncountycoc.com. The cost is $15 for chamber members and $25 for non-members. Anyone interested in attending is asked to RSVP by noon on Feb. 1.